MLBTR Chat with Jeff Todd 10-15-15

Welcome! Sorry for the delay in getting the chat up today -- we'll aim for 2pm central on Thursdays going forward.

Ask some questions and we'll get started shortly.

15/10/2015 19:35

Jeff Todd

David

Is trading Gardner the best option for the Yankees?

I'm not convinced of that, personally. His overall batting line ended up matching his usual output, and he's a versatile and affordable player. I think I'd hold.

15/10/2015 19:38

Jeff Todd

Astros fan

What would it take to get chapman from the reds

Well, the asking price will probably start out just as high as it was at the deadline. But he's a pure rental now.

Still, Cincinnati will be able to point out to partners that Chapman can be QO'ed after the season, so that would take the edge off of the prospect price for an acquiring team. I'd think he should still command a pretty highly regarded headliner, or a nice group of lower-level prospects.

I think Puig is a sufficiently excellent and affordable player that his status won't be tied too closely to the club's other outfield options. He does seem a reasonably plausible trade candidate, but won't come cheap.

15/10/2015 19:41

Jeff Todd

Aaron

who do you think will win it all

I think I might be on the Cubs bandwagon. But who knows?! That's why baseball is great. I'm just rooting for a lot of bat flips.

15/10/2015 19:42

Jeff Todd

Brian

Who catches for Boston next year Swihart, Vazquez of Hannigan?

All of the above? I think they'll bring on Vazquez slowly and see how things play out.

15/10/2015 19:42

Jeff Todd

Edward

2016 stop gap for Fredi Gonzalez?

Fredi Gonzalez

Seriously, Braves reporters have been very consistent. Team is giving no indication he'll be fired. It probably would've happened already.

15/10/2015 19:43

Jeff Todd

Matt

Could the White Sox trade Quintana and get a premier third baseman or outfielder who can hit in return?

Sure, they could. Tim Dierkes and I actually discussed this a bit on today's podcast. (Yeah, shameless plug.)

They won't and shouldn't be in a hurry to move him. He's a very valuable asset with plenty of cheap control remaining. Hahn would be in the driver's seat in trade talks.

15/10/2015 19:44

Jeff Todd

Diaz

What do you think the Padres could get for Shields if anything? What about Cashner?

Salary relief for Shields.

As for Cashner, there'd definitely be interest and he'd command a decent return. But he won't be super-cheap, doesn't have a great 2015 to stand on, and is only under control for one more year. So, expectations shouldn't be high.

15/10/2015 19:45

Jeff Todd

josh

Where does Jason Heyward play next year?

If I'm handicapping things, I guess I'd say the Cardinals might have the best chance of any single club based on what we know now ... which isn't much. But his market will be wide open.

15/10/2015 19:46

Jeff Todd

Omar

Who are the biggest players in this year's free agency?

Like, physically largest? Chris Young is probably the tallest.

Check the most recent power rankings for the best. We've got David Price at #1.

15/10/2015 19:48

Jeff Todd

Colby

Rasmus on a two-year deal, or can he get 3-4 this winter? $10-12MM per?

Very preliminary thinking here, but I'm guessing something like 2/24 or 3/30. But he's a guy I want to spend more time thinking about and learning about before committing to a prediction.

15/10/2015 19:49

Jeff Todd

BlueJayMatt

Is Brett Anderson getting a QO this year? What difference will that make in potential landing spots and his contract?

Probably. And it will hurt his market some, in part b/c there are a lot of other mid-level arms and they won't all get QOs. Kazmir, for example.

15/10/2015 19:49

Jeff Todd

Kent

Do the Padres trade Norris and give Hedges the starting catching role? Also ceiling for Hunter Renfroe?

I'd be holding both and hoping to ease the workload on Norris while giving Hedges a chance to prove himself.

I really don't have a personal opinion on Renfroe, so I'd just defer to the regular sources of prospect info there.

15/10/2015 19:51

Jeff Todd

Ryan

I think dipoto and the m's should look into gerrado parra.... They said they wanted to get more athletic. What do u think his market will look like dollars and years wise?

Parra seemed headed for something approaching Markakis money before tanking late. Now, maybe three years at a 4th OF salary? like 3/24 or something? Early guess ...

15/10/2015 19:53

Jeff Todd

Omar

What is the likelihood that David Freese takes a below market deal to resign with the Angels?

Wouldn't be my initial expectation. I tend to expect the Halos will look for a more permanent solution there, though maybe they end up landing in each others' arms if things don't work out.

15/10/2015 19:54

Jeff Todd

Matt

Do the Giants get a premium pitcher in free agency? And if so, who do you think it will be?

Depends on how you define "premium". Could be in on the Jordan Zimmermann/Johnny Cueto range, sure. And they seem a highly plausible landing spot for Leake, of course.

15/10/2015 19:55

Jeff Todd

Teddy

What chance Redsox use Moncada as part of package for an ace?

At first glance, he fits their timeline well as a long-term Pedroia replacement, whereas maybe some of their upper level guys would hold more immediate value but would be less useful to the Sox right now. So I'm guessing he's a guy they'll keep.

15/10/2015 19:56

Jeff Todd

Fred

Aaron Nola for Aaron Judge. Who says no?

Not sure either team would be too interested a rare prospect-for-prospect swap of those two. (Guess Nola isn't technically a prospect, but still.) Probably near-equivalent value, but I think the Phils like having a cheap arm in their rotation and the Yankees seem to really like their upper level young players.

15/10/2015 19:57

Jeff Todd

MyRoxAreAwful

Rather than just release him, could the Nats exile Papelbon to MLB's Siberia (Coors Field) for Butler plus $1M?

They could offer, sure, but Bridich would never do it.

15/10/2015 19:58

Jeff Todd

Greg

Giants easiest non playoff team to fix?

I'm not sure about that. All those concussions are a bit scary, Pagan is a question, Pence has had his nicks recently, Duffy/Panik/Crawford can't be penciled in to repeat, and there are lots of pitching questions.

They can do it, but it won't be straightforward.

15/10/2015 19:59

Jeff Todd

Todd Jeff

Is there such a thing as TOO much left handed starting pitching? Will the Angels try to deal one of their lefties?

I'm not a huge believer in paying much attention to lefty vs righty in structuring a rotation. It matters on the fringes, but you aren't going to sell low or buy high just to balance your rotation. A quality starter needs to be able to retire guys from both sides.

15/10/2015 20:00

Jeff Todd

Jon

Sweet beard, bruh. I'd take you in a fight over Steve any day.

Thanks. I grow the beard to compensate for the fact that I've been balding since I turned 22.

I dunno man, Steve is pretty tall. I worry about his reach.

15/10/2015 20:01

Jeff Todd

Dave Stewart

Realistically, who could Arizona trade to obtain Chapman?

Hopefully nobody. He's a one-year commitment. They have some nice young pieces to build around, and if they cash in any future-value assets, I'd want it to be for someone with more control.

15/10/2015 20:02

Jeff Todd

Hogie

Is a Britton/Puig swap plausible?

Not a chance. Puig has far more value than Britton, who is an increasingly expensive (albeit increasingly excellent) reliever.

15/10/2015 20:02

Jeff Todd

FG (askin for a friend)

Zobrist to the Braves

Don't see it. Other teams will value him more highly right now.

15/10/2015 20:03

Jeff Todd

Mike

Would you rather rebuild the Reds or Phillies?

Phillies. $$$$$$$$$$$

15/10/2015 20:04

Jeff Todd

Mike

Daniel Murphy getting a QO?

He should.

15/10/2015 20:04

Jeff Todd

MLH

Chapman to the Cubs for Billy McKinney and Javier Baez? Too much or little?

Too much to pay, I think. Chapman is great, but those are some nice, near/at big league assets.

15/10/2015 20:05

Jeff Todd

tom

Chances Andrus and Holland are with the Rangers next season?

Excellent.

15/10/2015 20:05

Jeff Todd

Steve Adams

I'm better at this than you!

It's not a competition, dude. Stop trying to chat with me and get back to work covering the site.

15/10/2015 20:05

Jeff Todd

Halo

Why do pitchers get so offended by bat flips?

Hey, I'd get offended by it too if I gave up the bomb. In the moment.

But as some general moral proposition? They shouldn't, any more than people should be upset by pitcher celebrations. Both can go over the top, of course.

15/10/2015 20:07

Jeff Todd

Jack

Does buxton start for the Twins next year? A does Barrios win a rotation spot beginning of the year?

Eventually, yes, though maybe not at the start of the year ... and that goes for both guys.

Nothing to lose by letting them battle for spots this spring, with fallback of a bit more seasoning (while keeping their service clocks from running).

15/10/2015 20:08

Jeff Todd

Han

Are AJ Cole and Taylor Jordan enough to get a top tier closer for rent?

Would hate to see them give up Cole for a rental. He has been performing well in Triple-A.

Jordan is a guy who needs to rebuild some value, I think, but I could see him as a piece of a package if the Nats decide to go looking for a short-term veteran.

15/10/2015 20:10

Jeff Todd

Joe from Flushing

Mets keep Murphy and instead trade Duda. Make any sense to you?

No. Duda has much more bat. Murphy is a solid hitter who can play second/third. That's where his value is.

15/10/2015 20:10

Jeff Todd

Walt Jocketty

Could someone like Wil Myers or Puig make sense as part of my "retool"?

Sure. What are you giving up, though?

15/10/2015 20:12

Jeff Todd

Mark

Jason Heyward seems like one of those guys who does a lot of things well, but nothing great. Why are people talking about him getting a contract over $200MM?

All about age. And to an extent, maybe it makes sense to bet on a broader skill base b/c you could argue it gives a higher floor? I just made that up, so don't hold me to it, but it sounds good as I type it. He also still has a bit of upside over what he's done.

15/10/2015 20:13

Jeff Todd

Mick

Tribe needs a bat. Who do they pursue?

Steve put them on Ozuna, who they were tied to over the summer, in his recent outlook piece. That's the kind of guy I'd expect them to target -- good value proposition. If not a controllable, young player then a buy-low free agent.

Which is to say, they probably aren't making a run for Cespedes.

15/10/2015 20:14

Jeff Todd

Invasion of Mikes

When is the Qualifying Offer deadline?

Five days after the WS to make the offer, then another week for player to decide.

15/10/2015 20:15

Jeff Todd

Askin for a friend

royals makes the playoffs next year?

I doubted the Royals last winter. No longer will be betting against them because it keeps happening.

15/10/2015 20:16

Jeff Todd

Zach

MacPhail is officially the President of the Phillies, will there be a new GM in place before the month ends?

Probably. Have to think they'll want to give the new GM time to get ready for business before the offseason starts. But they are not letting out much info on the search.

15/10/2015 20:18

Jeff Todd

Invasion of Mikes

Where does Alex Gordon end up after this year? Does he get a QO?

Alex Gordon is as automatic as they come for a qualifying offer. He'll have wide interest. Guessing he finds a new home, unless the Royals really decide that he's just too important a figure and they have to keep him.

15/10/2015 20:18

Jeff Todd

Lee

How do you determine which questions you answer?

Bearing in mind that I'm a total rookie at chatting ... I skim down the list til I see something I have a reasonable answer for. Like this one!

There are way, way too many even to read every one.

15/10/2015 20:20

Jeff Todd

Rally Dog

i see what you did there... you're so nice!

I am seeing your questions about a question I didn't answer and I don't know what I did. Chatting is hard. Promise it isn't personal.

15/10/2015 20:22

Jeff Todd

JA Happ

Should i remain in pittsburgh?

He's done enough to get multiple years at a pretty nice AAV. Those will probably come from another team.

15/10/2015 20:22

Jeff Todd

Jason

What can the pirates reasonably expect as a return if we trade Pedro Alvarez this off season?

He's not a guy who really has much value. Don't get me wrong, he'd draw interest, but at his salary there just isn't a real surplus of value. I'd guess a low-level minor leaguer or two if they just decide to move on from him?

15/10/2015 20:23

Jeff Todd

??

Why are so many questions/answers disapearing

If that is the case, then sorry. I'm just answering what I can. Will try to investigate after the chat ends.

15/10/2015 20:24

Jeff Todd

Gordon Contract

Over or under $110M?

I can't pick a side, which makes me think you've done a good job of setting the over/under.

15/10/2015 20:25

Jeff Todd

Grandpa Joe

What team did you root for growing up?

O's. Followed the Nationals more closely in recent years.

15/10/2015 20:25

Jeff Todd

Phillip

Brandon Phillips and Aroldis Chapman for Brett Gardner and Betances?

Gardner and Betances are both more valuable assets than the guys they'd be swapped for in this scenario. So, no for me.

15/10/2015 20:26

Jeff Todd

Idle detected

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